Director, Business Insights & Analytics

The Director, Director, Business Insights & Analytics provides financial and analytical decision-making support to senior management by developing short, medium and long-term financial forecasts, supporting restaurant operational initiatives and identifying opportunities for improving corporate and restaurant level performance. Prepare timely and accurate financial analysis and develop reporting and decision-making analytical tools to enable corporate management and the regional operations teams to assess the performance of restaurant operational initiatives, menu optimization initiatives, purchasing initiatives, marketing programs and investment opportunities / returns.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development of the annual budget and quarterly financial forecasts. Utilize existing projection models and develop new tools as necessary to improve and facilitate the current planning processes. Partner with the operations team to gather relevant data, assess and provide forecast input on restaurant sales, cost of sales, cost of labor, controllable costs, advertising, fixed expenses, etc.
• Responsible for the ongoing development, accurate preparation and timely distribution of weekly, monthly and quarterly reports, including KPI reports, weekly and monthly flash reports, monthly financial and operational reports, new restaurant performance, monthly capital expenditures actual/forecast reports and other reports as requested by senior management.
• Provide financial and general business leadership to all levels of company and operations management to support the achievement of corporate and regional goals through identification and presentation of profit opportunities and financial results.
• Support the development of financial and operational tools to facilitate decision making of business partners in operations, purchasing, marketing, and/or development. Provide analyses to evaluate the potential financial performance of alternative options.
• Partner with development team to project return on investment of new store openings
• Create or support the preparation of quantitative and qualitative analyses in the evaluation of potential brand opportunities as requested by operations, development or finance management. These analyses may involve development activity, food costs, labor costs, controllable costs, return on investment, general brand spending, marketing, etc.
• Lead analysis projects including:
• Forecast guest traffic and per person average (PPA) spend at the daily and weekly level.
• Review projected menu price and food cost changes and evaluate financial impact.
• Develop cost reduction and management initiatives reporting.
• Provide assessment of G&A spending and make recommendations regarding potential cost savings and/or reduction opportunities.
• Identify underperforming units and work with operations and real estate teams in the analysis of store improvements, closures, lease renewals, etc.
• Identify opportunities for adding financial value to the company and prepare analyses to support value-added recommendations.
• Ensure, in coordination with other corporate departments, that raw data used in reporting, analysis, and planning is accurate and complete.
• Participate in special projects as requested.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EDUCATION

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Strong technical, analytical and problem solving skills
• Advanced understanding and working knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and analysis
• Strong interpersonal verbal and written communication skills
• Sound knowledge of accounting and accounting principles
• 10 years of progressive experience in Financial Planning & Analysis, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a related field
• Experience with PowerBI dashboards, preferred
• Restaurant or multi-unit retail experience in a financial planning and analysis position, preferred
• A Master’s Degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting, preferred
• CPA or CMA, preferred